The University of Maine at Presque Isle was joined by several top Maine education officials during a Feb. 13 press conference in Bangor to announce its transition to proficiency-based education, a move that makes UMPI the first university in Maine and one of the first in the nation to deliver this type of interactive learning. Proficiency-based education encourages deeper learning and greater engagement by providing more hands-on activities, giving students choices in selecting assignments, and having them demonstrate proficiency in a subject area before moving along to the next concept.

What do space science education and cancer awareness have in common? They're both the focus of this region's most unique fundraiser, Planet Head Day, where participants raise money for a local cancer organization by having their heads shaved and painted as planets, dwarf planets, moons, comets and asteroids. Aroostook County's 8th annual Planet Head Day takes place on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University of Maine at Presque Isle's Wieden Gymnasium. This not-to-be-missed event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Officials with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the City of Presque Isle are working to ensure a smooth transition for community members when the city's aquatics program begins offering its lessons at the Gentile Hall pool starting in March.

In an effort to familiarize community members with UMPI's pool, officials will be hosting two open house events—on Friday, Feb. 14 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and on Saturday, March 1 from 4-5 p.m.—providing tours of the building, a brief orientation on how the city's aquatics programming will be offered at the UMPI facility, and an opportunity to get a wide variety of questions answered. The public is invited and encouraged to attend these free events.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will celebrate the establishment of the newly created Center for Student Success with an open house on Friday, Feb. 7, from Noon to 1 p.m. in the South Hall Lobby. A ribbon cutting will take place at 12:30 p.m. during the open house. The public is invited to attend, and to enjoy light refreshments and tours of the new space during this free event.

The University of Maine at Presque Outing Club is offering a series of spring adventures and activities for campus and community members to enjoy, including skiing, snowshoeing, a high ropes course, and outdoor rock climbing.

Two hundred and ninety-nine students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle have been named to the Dean's List for the fall semester, according to Dr. Michael Sonntag, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle's Reed Fine Art Gallery will present Navigation Lights by Portland artist Carrie Scanga from Jan. 27 through March 8, 2014. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show's run and attend the Opening Reception on Feb. 7 from 5-7 p.m., which is being held in conjunction with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its annual spring semester American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Campus Center's Multi-Purpose Room. Door prizes will be given away during this time. Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate in this free event.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent and the University of Maine at Presque Isle today unveiled a new tuition structure for out-of-state and international students that offers competitive pricing in those markets and also acts as a catalyst for economic development in Aroostook County.

Starting with the Fall 2014 semester, UMPI and UMFK will be simplifying their tuition structure by offering out-of-state students the same tuition rate extended to students who participate in the New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break Program.

University of Maine at Presque Isle officials announced today that Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Sonntag will step down at the end of January to accept the top position at the University of South Carolina Sumter. He has served as UMPI's chief academic officer since 2007.

A University of Maine at Presque Isle Fine Art professor spent several months this summer and fall working in locations throughout Europe after being awarded three art residencies—two of them with fellowships—to focus on her art work.

Heather Sincavage, UMPI Assistant Professor of Fine Art, participated in art residencies at the Arteles Creative Center in Hameenkyro, Finland; at the Can Serrat International Art Center in Barcelona, Spain; and at the Nes Artist Residency in Skagastrond, Iceland. Based on the strength of her application and artistic merit, she was awarded fellowships from both Arteles and Can Serrat.

University of Maine at Presque Isle officials are pleased to announce that the University's Physical Therapist Assistant Program has received official status as an academic program after receiving full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education [CAPTE].

The University of Maine at Presque Isle has hired an experienced facilities and construction leader, planner and manager to serve as its new Director of Facilities Management.

Gregg Bouchard, who comes to UMPI with 16 years of facilities management experience, replaces outgoing Director of Facilities Management Robert Aughinbaugh, who relocated to Pittsburgh earlier this fall to take a position closer to family.

David Putnam, archaeologist/climate scientist and University of Maine at Presque Isle faculty member, recently took part in the Comer Abrupt Climate Change conference, an annual conference that draws top leaders and scientists from around the world to Wisconsin to discuss abrupt climate change research.